Falcon 3 ACM/BFM Lessons by Jim Knutson A Supplement to Robert Shaw's Book Fighter Combat Tactics and Maneuvering Sortie 4 - Break Turn (pg. 25) Sortie 3 described the extension maneuver, which is the preferred defense against a guns attack. However, it is not always possible to prevent the closure to guns range. At this point, your best bet is to not allow a tracking shot. This can be done by making a break turn towards the attacker to place him in the forward hemisphere where closure times should only allow for a snapshot. AOT increases fastest by rolling to place the attacker in or near your vertical plane when making your break turn. However, this in-plane turn also makes it easier for the attacker to find a firing solution so a careful eye must be kept on the situation. This in-plane turn must not be used once range and nose position indicate the attacker is about to achieve a firing solution. This must be determined visually. One way to determine this is to watch for the under belly of the attacker. If you see it, he is pulling lead, preparing to fire. Continuation of the in-plane turn at this point would be deadly to say the least. You must now convert to an out-of-plane turn by quickly rolling 90 degrees in either direction to place the attacker in your horizontal plane (hopefully, around one of your wing tips) then reapplying G. A slow roll toward the attacker may be needed to keep him in the horizontal plane. This out-of-plane turn should be continued until the attacker is no longer in a threatening position. Deciding which direction to roll out-of-plane depends on several factors. The first is whether to commit nose-high or nose-low. The second factor depends on your intentions after the attack fails. Lastly, it should be noted that given the constraints of the first two factors, it is probably best to turn towards the attacker's belly as this is probably the hardest to counter. The choice of nose-high or nose-low for the out-of-plane maneuver depends on your speed and altitude. A nose-low maneuver can result in significant altitude loss, but it does have the advantage of gravity assist and is less likely to diminish your speed. A nose-high maneuver, on the other hand, can result in significant speed loss which will possibly increase the closure rate. Your intentions post maneuver (engage vs. disengage) will also affect your choice. Committing nose-high increases the chance of reversing after the overshoot thereby allowing you to take the offensive while nose-low allows you to disengage using extension after the overshoot. It is NOT recommended that you wait until the last possible moment to begin your break turn (hoping for a large overshoot). The out-of-plane turn works much better and is less risky. Red Flag Mission - COMBAT3 This mission is a one versus one engagement. Your attacker is a Mig-19 loaded only with guns. Turn on your gun camera (VCR). You have just completed a mission and are returning to your base so you don't need to load missiles (you used them to get your fifth kill, ace). Follow the waypoints and land your plane without getting shot down (assume you are low or empty of cannon shells as well). Use break turns to break away from the Mig-19 and extension when possible. Review the VCR to see where you can make improvements. NOTES You may need to set the enemy skill level to veteran or ace to get them to aggressively engage you. I had a terrible time trying to get this to work in Falcon. Padlock view is good for watching the attacker during your in-plane break turn, but once you start your out-of-plane turn, it is nearly impossible to keep the proper orientation (i.e. attacker in your horizontal plane) during the maneuver. I've tried using enemy view instead, but the control reversal that occurs when the attacker is in your rear quarter makes it difficult to keep the aircraft maneuvering correctly. The SORTIE4.VCR file was created using Falcon 3.01.1 using the Hi-Fidelity flight model. GLOSSARY AOT Angle Off Tail, with 0 degrees being directly behind the target